State railways development program in Azerbaijan to ensure security of train movement

Implementation of the State railways development program in Azerbaijan in 2010-2014 will ensure the safety of movement of trains and create conditions to improve their speed, head of Azerbaijan Railways JSC Arif Askerov in an interview with the ruling New Azerbaijan Party.
According to him, the State program envisages the development of all railway facilities, and will create conditions for ensuring safety and increasing the speed of trains.

According to Askerov, one of the important directions is the creation of an international transport corridor "North-South" between Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran. At this stage, there is a possibility to transport up to five million tons of cargo in the Yalama-Astara section of "North-South" corridor. In the future it is expected that the cargo transportation in this section will grow to 10-15 million tons.

Azerbaijan will build railway line in length of 8.4 km for opening of this corridor, also there are plans to construct four station road with length of 1,050 meters per each, said Askerov.

Also work is underway on the project to improve rail transport in the direction of the border with Georgia. The project envisages reconstruction of the Baku-Boyuk Kesik railway. The project will develop the railway in this direction and remove the speed limit. South Korean companies are taking an active part in this project. In particular, the procedure was conducted to study proposals to select a consulting company for the replacement of power supply system, upgrading the signal system and the purchase of locomotives. Korean KwangMyung Electric Co.LTD is also amongst participants. According to Askerov, work is continuing to automate ticketing system.